Babar and Father Christmas (Babar Books (Random House)) [Hardcover]

Jean De Brunhoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2001 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Babar Books (Random House)

Babar returns in this unusual and heartwarming Christmas story by Jean de Brunhoff. Babar’s children have caught wind of a fellow in Man’s country named Father Christmas who brings joy and toys to little children. “If only we could bring him here,” they wish. So they write the Christmas saint a letter inviting him to visit them. When they get no reply, Babar, ever the good father, rushes out to find the red-suited one. After much searching, and with the help of a dog named Duck, Babar reaches Father Christmas’s workshop in the snow. Can Babar find a way to bring him to Elephants’ country?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A trio of reissues bring back the beloved elephant in a starring role. The last book to be published before his death, Jean de Brunhoff's Babar and Father Christmas (1940) follows the hero in search of Santa as he attempts to bring Yuletide cheer to Elephants' country. A few spreads were finished by de Brunhoff's then 12-year-old son Laurent.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"If you love elephants, you will love Babar and Celeste," writes A. A. Milne in his preface to "The Story of Babar". "And if you have never loved elephants, you will love them now." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (September 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375814442
• ISBN-13: 978-0375814440
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #467,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Father Christmas, November 23, 2001

By 

Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Babar and Father Christmas (Babar Books (Random House)) (Hardcover)

This book was originally published in 1940 and the end notes tell us that it was the last one written by Jean de Brunhoff before his untimely death at age 37. The story and line drawings were finished but the illustrations still needed to be colored. Jean's brother took care of that with the help of Jean's son who was only 12 years old when his father died. I like the fact that Jean's son had a hand in the coloring of this wonderful story of a father's love and special efforts on behalf of his children at Christmastime.
This book has all the lively and humorous characteristics of the other Babar the Elephant stories, the brightly colored, warm and friendly drawings of our beloved elephant royalty, the antics and adventures of the elephants themselves and of course, our hero, King Babar once again, saving the day, in this book, a most important day, Christmas!
Arthur, Pom, Flora and Alexander, the royal elephant children , together with their monkey pal, Zephir, write Father Christmas a wish list letter and are disappointed when they don't get a reply. This ultimately leads to Babar's realization that the Elephants' Country needs to be included in Santa's regular route, so he goes to heroic lengths to make his childrens' wishes come true. Babar and Father Christmas become fast friends and Father Christmas even gets to take a much needed rest in the tropical climate of Babar's country. The way de Brunhoff has drawn Father Christmas is quirky and jolly and rather different from the image we have of him today but entirely captures the essence of this wonderful holiday icon. If you have loved other Babar stories or if this is your first, you are sure to love it and make it a part of your Christmas tradition.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Babar and Father Christmas- Our Favorite christmas story., June 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Babar and Father Christmas (Hardcover)

Babar and Father Christmas is such a wondeerful Christmas Story. Santa Claus Gave us a copy for christmas a long time ago. In this book, Babar's Children heard about father christmas from somebody. They write him a letter and ask him to come to Celestesville. Father Christmas forgot to write back, so King Babar goes to man's country and looks for him, finally finds him at the north pole. We want to buy a copy as a gift. Please ask the publisher to reprint it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Babar and Father Christmas, August 30, 2009

By 

Sylvia Hayes "Magpie" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Babar and Father Christmas (Babar Books (Random House)) (Hardcover)

This is a hard cover book with simple and beautiful illustrations. Although it was written a long while ago,it has a charming storyline about the elephant kingdom receiving gifts from Father Christmas. Suitable for sharing with youngsters of any age.Babar and Father Christmas